SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

FORM 10-Q

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM __________ TO __________

Commission File Number: 1-14267

REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.

Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (954) 769-2400

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes   x   No    o

     Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act). Yes   x   No    o

     On May 3, 2004, the registrant had outstanding 154,173,219 shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share.

Table of Contents

REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.

INDEX

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

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REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

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REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this statement.

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REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.

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REPUBLIC SERVICES, INC.

NOTES TO UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION

     Republic Services, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”) is a leading provider of non-hazardous solid waste collection and disposal services in the United States.

     The accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of the Company and have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Certain information related to the Company’s organization, significant accounting policies and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States have been condensed or omitted. In the opinion of management, these Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements reflect all material adjustments (which include only normal recurring adjustments) necessary to fairly state the financial position and the results of operations for the periods presented, and the disclosures herein are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. Operating results for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results that can be expected for a full year. These interim financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s audited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto appearing in the Company’s Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

     The Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and necessarily include amounts based on estimates and assumptions made by management. Actual results could differ from these amounts. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the depletion and amortization of landfill development costs, liabilities for final capping, closure and post-closure costs, valuation allowances for accounts receivable, liabilities for potential litigation, claims and assessments, and liabilities for environmental remediation, deferred taxes and self-insurance.

     As of January 1, 2003, the Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations” (“SFAS 143”). SFAS 143 required the Company to change the methodology it used to record final capping, closure and post-closure costs relating to its landfills. As of January 1, 2003, the Company recorded an after-tax expense of $20.8 million, or $33.6 million on a pre-tax basis, as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle resulting from the adoption of SFAS 143. In addition, the Company also recorded an after-tax expense of $17.0 million, or $27.4 million on a pre-tax basis, as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle for its methane gas collection systems. This change in accounting for methane gas collection systems was prompted by a thorough evaluation of the Company’s landfill accounting policies in connection with the adoption of SFAS 143 and is consistent with the methodology used by other participants in the waste industry.

     In January 2003, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Interpretation 46, “Consolidation of Variable Interest Entities” (“FIN 46”). FIN 46 introduces a new consolidation model which determines control and consolidation based upon the majority beneficiary of the potential variability in gains and losses of the entity being evaluated. This interpretation is effective for all variable interest entities beginning March 31, 2004. The Company has evaluated its organizational structure and has concluded that FIN 46 has no impact on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

     There are no other new accounting pronouncements that pertain to the Company.

     At March 31, 2004, the Company had $185.3 million of restricted marketable securities held as financial guarantees. These securities consist of mutual funds invested in short-term investment grade securities, including mortgage-backed securities and U.S. Government obligations. These securities are available for sale and, as a result, are stated at fair value based on quoted market prices. During the three months ended March 31, 2004, the

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Company recorded a $.4 million unrealized gain, net of tax, to other comprehensive income related to the change in fair value of these securities.

2. ACCRUED LANDFILL, ENVIRONMENTAL AND LEGAL COSTS

Landfill, Environmental And Legal Costs

     A summary of liabilities recorded for landfill, environmental and legal costs is as follows:

Life Cycle Accounting

     The Company uses life cycle accounting and the units-of-consumption method to recognize certain landfill costs over the life of the site. In life cycle accounting, all costs to acquire and construct a site are capitalized, and charged to expense based upon the consumption of cubic yards of available airspace. Costs and airspace estimates are developed annually by engineers. These estimates are used by the Company’s operating and accounting personnel to annually adjust the Company’s rates used to expense capitalized costs. Changes in these estimates primarily relate to changes in available airspace, inflation and applicable regulations. Changes in available airspace include changes due to the addition of airspace lying in probable expansion areas.

Total Available Disposal Capacity

     As of March 31, 2004, the Company owned or operated 57 active solid waste landfills with total available disposal capacity of approximately 1.8 billion in-place cubic yards. Total available disposal capacity represents the sum of estimated permitted airspace plus an estimate of expansion airspace that the Company believes has a probable likelihood of ultimately being permitted.

Probable Expansion Airspace

     Before airspace included in an expansion area is determined as probable expansion airspace and, therefore, included in the Company’s calculation of total available disposal capacity, the following criteria must be met:

1.

The land associated with the expansion airspace is either owned by the Company or is controlled by the Company pursuant to an option agreement;

2.

The Company is committed to supporting the expansion project financially and with appropriate resources;

3.

There are no identified fatal flaws or impediments associated with the project, including political impediments;

4.

Progress is being made on the project;

5.

The expansion is attainable within a reasonable time frame; and

6.

The Company believes it is likely the expansion permit will be received.

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     Upon meeting the Company’s expansion criteria, the rates used at each applicable landfill to expense or accrue costs to acquire, construct, cap, close and maintain a site during the post-closure period are adjusted to include probable expansion airspace and all additional costs to be capitalized or accrued associated with the expansion airspace.

     The Company has identified three sequential steps that landfills generally follow to obtain expansion permits. These steps are as follows:

1.

Obtaining approval from local authorities;

2.

Submitting a permit application with state authorities; and

3.

Obtaining permit approval from state authorities.

     Once a landfill meets the Company’s expansion criteria, management continuously monitors each site’s progress in obtaining the expansion permit. If at any point it is determined that an expansion area no longer meets the required criteria, the probable expansion airspace is removed from the landfill’s total available capacity and the rates used at the landfill to expense costs to acquire, construct, cap, close and maintain a site during the post-closure period are adjusted accordingly.

Capitalized Landfill Costs

     Capitalized landfill costs include expenditures for land, permitting costs, cell construction costs and environmental structures. Capitalized permitting and cell construction costs are limited to direct costs relating to these activities, including legal, engineering and construction associated with excavation, liners and site berms. Interest is capitalized on landfill construction projects while the assets are undergoing activities to ready them for their intended use. Capitalized landfill costs also include final capping, closure and post-closure assets accrued in accordance with SFAS 143 as discussed below.

     Costs related to acquiring land, excluding the estimated residual value of unpermitted, non-buffer land, and costs related to permitting and cell construction are depleted as airspace is consumed using the units-of-consumption method.

     Capitalized landfill costs may also include an allocation of purchase price paid for landfills. For landfills purchased as part of a group of several assets, the purchase price assigned to the landfill is determined based upon the discounted future expected cash flows of the landfill relative to the other assets within the group. If the landfill meets the Company’s expansion criteria, the purchase price is further allocated between permitted airspace and expansion airspace based upon the ratio of permitted versus probable expansion airspace to total available airspace. Landfill purchase price is amortized using the units-of-consumption method over the total available airspace including probable expansion airspace where appropriate.

Final Capping, Closure and Post-Closure Costs

     The Company accounts for final capping, closure and post-closure in accordance with SFAS 143.

     The Company has future obligations for final capping, closure and post-closure costs with respect to the landfills it owns or operates as set forth in applicable landfill permits. Final capping, closure and post-closure costs include estimated costs to be incurred for final capping and closure of landfills and estimated costs for providing required post-closure monitoring and maintenance of landfills. The permit requirements are based on the Subtitle C and Subtitle D regulations of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA), as implemented and applied on a state-by-state basis. Obligations associated with monitoring and controlling methane gas migration and emissions are set forth in applicable landfill permits and these requirements are based upon the provisions of the Clean Air Act of 1970, as amended. Final capping typically includes installing flexible membrane and geosynthetic clay liners, drainage and compact soil layers, and topsoil, and is constructed over an area of the landfill where total airspace capacity has been consumed and waste disposal operations have ceased. These final capping activities occur throughout the operating life of a landfill. Other closure activities and post-closure activities occur after the entire

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landfill ceases to accept waste and closes. These activities involve methane gas control, leachate management and groundwater monitoring, surface water monitoring and control, and other operational and maintenance activities that occur after the site ceases to accept waste. The post-closure period generally runs for up to 30 years after final site closure for municipal solid waste landfills and a shorter period for construction and demolition landfills and inert landfills.

     Estimates of future expenditures for final capping, closure and post-closure are developed annually by engineers. These estimates are reviewed by management at least annually and are used by the Company’s operating and accounting personnel to adjust the rates used to capitalize and amortize these costs. These estimates involve projections of costs that will be incurred during the remaining life of the landfill for final capping activities, after the landfill ceases operations and during the legally required post-closure monitoring period. Additionally, the Company currently retains post-closure responsibility for several closed landfills.

     Under SFAS 143, a liability for an asset retirement obligation must be recognized in the period in which it is incurred and should be initially measured at fair value. Absent quoted market prices, the estimate of fair value should be based on the best available information, including the results of present value techniques in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Concepts No. 7, “Using Cash Flow and Present Value in Accounting Measurements” (“SFAC 7”). The offset to the liability must be capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset. Changes in the liability due to the passage of time are recognized as operating items in the income statement and are referred to as accretion expense. Changes in the liability due to revisions to estimated future cash flows are recognized by increasing or decreasing the liability with the offset adjusting the carrying amount of the related long-lived asset.

     In applying the provisions of SFAS 143, the Company has concluded that a landfill’s asset retirement obligation includes estimates of all costs related to final capping, closure and post-closure. Costs associated with a landfill’s daily maintenance activities during the operating life of the landfill, such as leachate disposal, groundwater and gas monitoring, and other pollution control activities, are charged to expense as incurred. In addition, costs historically accounted for as capital expenditures during the operating life of a landfill, such as cell development costs, are capitalized when incurred, and charged to expense using life cycle accounting and the units-of-consumption method based on the consumption of cubic yards of available airspace.

     The Company defines final capping as activities required to permanently cover a portion of a landfill that has been completely filled with waste. Final capping occurs in phases throughout the life of a landfill as specific areas are filled to capacity and the final elevation for that specific area is reached in accordance with the provisions of the operating permit. The Company considers final capping events to be discrete activities that are recognized as asset retirement obligations separately from other closure and post-closure obligations. These capping events occur generally during the operating life of a landfill and can be associated with waste actually placed under an area to be capped. As a result, the Company uses a separate rate per ton for recognizing the principal amount of the liability associated with each capping event. The Company amortizes the asset recorded pursuant to this approach as waste volume equivalent to the capacity covered by the capping event is placed into the landfill based upon the consumption of cubic yards of available airspace covered by the capping event.

     The Company recognizes asset retirement obligations and the related amortization expense for closure and post-closure (excluding obligations for final capping) using the units-of-consumption method over the total remaining capacity of the landfill. The total remaining capacity includes probable expansion airspace.

     In general, the Company engages third parties to perform most of its final capping, closure and post-closure activities. Accordingly, the fair market value of these obligations is based upon quoted and actual prices paid for similar work. The Company does intend to perform some of its final capping, closure and post-closure obligations using internal resources. Where internal resources are expected to be used to fulfill an asset retirement obligation, the Company has added a profit margin onto the estimated cost of such services to better reflect their fair market value as required by SFAS 143. These services primarily relate to managing construction activities during final capping, and maintenance activities during closure and post-closure. If the Company does perform these services internally, the added profit margin would be recognized as a component of operating income in the period the obligation is settled.

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     SFAC 7 states that an estimate of fair value should include the price that marketplace participants are able to receive for bearing the uncertainties in cash flows. However, when utilizing discounted cash flow techniques, reliable estimates of market premiums may not be obtainable. In this situation, SFAC 7 indicates that it is not necessary to consider a market risk premium in the determination of expected cash flows. While the cost of asset retirement obligations associated with final capping, closure and post-closure can be quantified and estimated, there is not an active market that can be utilized to determine the fair value of these activities. In the case of the waste industry, no market exists for selling the responsibility for final capping, closure and post-closure independent of selling the landfill in its entirety. Accordingly, the Company believes that it is not possible to develop a methodology to reliably estimate a market risk premium and has excluded a market risk premium from its determination of expected cash flow for landfill asset retirement obligations in accordance with SFAC 7.

     The Company’s estimates of costs to discharge asset retirement obligations for landfills are developed in today’s dollars. These costs are inflated each year to reflect a normal escalation of prices up to the year they are expected to be paid. The Company uses a 2.5% inflation rate, which is based on a ten-year historical moving average of the U.S. Consumer Price Index and is the rate used by most waste industry participants.

     These estimated costs are then discounted to their present value using a credit-adjusted, risk-free rate. The Company’s credit-adjusted, risk-free rate was determined to be 6.50% and 6.75% for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, based upon the estimated all-in yield the Company believes it would need to offer to sell thirty-year debt in the public market. Changes in asset retirement obligations due to the passage of time are measured by recognizing accretion expense in a manner that results in a constant effective interest rate applied to the average carrying amount of the liability. The effective interest rate used to calculate accretion expense is the Company’s credit-adjusted, risk-free rate.

     In accordance with SFAS 143, changes due to revision of the estimates of the amount or timing of the original undiscounted cash flows used to record a liability are recognized by increasing or decreasing the carrying amount of the asset retirement obligation liability and the carrying amount of the related asset. Upward revisions in the amount of undiscounted estimated cash flows used to record a liability must be discounted using the credit-adjusted, risk-free rate in effect at the time of the change. Downward revisions in the amount of undiscounted estimated cash flows used to record a liability must be discounted using the credit-adjusted, risk-free rate that existed when the original liability was recognized.

     The Company reviews its calculations with respect to landfill asset retirement obligations at least annually. If there is a significant change in the facts and circumstances related to a landfill during the year, the Company will review its calculations for the landfill as soon as practical after the significant change has occurred. During the three months ended March 31, 2004, the Company completed its annual review and recorded a $2.6 million net reduction in operating costs primarily related to changes in estimates and assumptions concerning the cost and timing of future final capping, closure and post-closure activities.

     The following table summarizes the activity in the Company’s asset retirement obligation liabilities for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003:

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     The fair value of assets that are legally restricted for purposes of settling final capping, closure and post-closure obligations was approximately $6.5 million at March 31, 2004, and are included as restricted cash in the Company’s Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Remediation

     The Company accrues for remediation costs when they become probable and reasonably estimatable. Substantially all of the Company’s recorded remediation costs are for incremental landfill post-closure care required under approved remediation action plans for acquired landfills. Remediation costs are estimated by engineers based upon site remediation plans. These estimates do not take into account discounts for the present value of total estimated costs. Management believes that the amounts accrued for remediation costs are adequate. However, a significant increase in the estimated costs for remediation could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Environmental Costs

     In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to ongoing environmental investigations by certain regulatory agencies, as well as other claims and disputes that could result in litigation. Environmental costs are accrued by the Company through a charge to income in the period such liabilities become probable and can be reasonably estimated. No significant amounts were charged to expense during the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003.

3. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT

     Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Expenditures for major additions and improvements are capitalized, while maintenance and repairs are charged to expense as incurred. When property is retired or otherwise disposed of, the related cost and accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is reflected in the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

     The Company revises the estimated useful lives of property and equipment acquired through business acquisitions to conform with its policies regarding property and equipment. Depreciation is provided over the estimated useful lives of the assets involved using the straight-line method. The estimated useful lives are seven to forty years for buildings and improvements, five to twelve years for vehicles, seven to ten years for most landfill equipment, three to fifteen years for all other equipment, and five to twelve years for furniture and fixtures.

     Landfills and landfill improvements are stated at cost and include direct costs incurred to obtain landfill permits and direct costs incurred to acquire, construct and develop sites. These costs are amortized or depleted based on consumed airspace. All indirect landfill development costs are expensed as incurred. (For further information, see Note 2, Accrued Landfill, Environmental and Legal Costs.)

     The Company capitalizes interest on landfill cell construction and other construction projects in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 34, “Capitalization of Interest Cost.” Construction projects must meet the following criteria before interest is capitalized:

1.

Total construction costs are $50,000 or greater,

2.

The construction phase is one month or longer, and

3.

The assets have a useful life of one year or longer.

     Interest is capitalized on qualified assets while they undergo activities to ready them for their intended use. Capitalization of interest ceases once an asset is placed into service or if construction activity is suspended for more than a brief period of time. The interest capitalization rate is based upon the Company’s weighted average cost of indebtedness. Interest capitalized was $.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003.

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     A summary of property and equipment is as follows:

     The Company periodically evaluates whether events and circumstances have occurred that may warrant revision of the estimated useful life of property and equipment or whether the remaining balance of property and equipment should be evaluated for possible impairment. The following are examples of such events or changes in circumstances:

•

A significant decrease in the market price of a long-lived asset or asset group,

•

A significant adverse change in the extent or manner in which a long-lived asset or asset group is being used or in its physical condition,

•

A significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate that could affect the value of a long-lived asset or asset group, including an adverse action or assessment by a regulator,

•

An accumulation of costs significantly in excess of the amount originally expected for the acquisition or construction of a long-lived asset or asset group,

•

A current-period operating or cash flow loss combined with a history of operating or cash flow losses or a projection or forecast that demonstrates continuing losses associated with the use of a long-lived asset or asset group, or

•

A current expectation that, more likely than not, a long-lived asset or asset group will be sold or otherwise disposed of significantly before the end of its previously estimated useful life.

     There are certain indicators listed above that require significant judgment and understanding of the waste industry when applied to landfill development or expansion. For example, a regulator may initially deny a landfill expansion permit application though the expansion permit is ultimately granted. In addition, management may periodically divert waste from one landfill to another to conserve remaining permitted landfill airspace. Therefore, certain events could occur in the ordinary course of business and not necessarily be considered indicators of impairment due to the unique nature of the waste industry.

     The Company uses an estimate of the related undiscounted cash flows over the remaining life of the property and equipment in assessing their recoverability. The Company measures impairment loss as the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset.

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4. BUSINESS COMBINATIONS

     The Company acquires businesses as part of its growth strategy. Businesses acquired are accounted for under the purchase method of accounting and are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements from the date of acquisition. The Company allocates the cost of the acquired business to the assets acquired and the liabilities assumed based on estimates of fair values thereof. These estimates are revised during the allocation period as necessary if, and when, information regarding contingencies becomes available to further define and quantify assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The allocation period generally does not exceed one year. To the extent contingencies such as preacquisition environmental matters, litigation and related legal fees are resolved or settled during the allocation period, such items are included in the revised allocation of the purchase price. After the allocation period, the effect of changes in such contingencies is included in results of operations in the periods in which the adjustments are determined. The Company does not believe potential differences between its fair value estimates and actual fair values are material.

     The Company acquired various solid waste businesses during the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003. The aggregate purchase price paid by the Company in these transactions was $1.2 million and $7.7 million in cash, respectively.

     The following summarizes the preliminary purchase price allocations for business combinations consummated during the periods presented:

     Substantially all of the intangible assets recorded for these acquisitions are deductible for tax purposes.

5. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS

     Intangible assets consists of the cost of acquired businesses in excess of the fair value of net assets acquired and other intangible assets. Other intangible assets include values assigned to customer relationships, long-term contracts and covenants not to compete and are amortized generally over periods ranging from 3 to 25 years.

     The following table summarizes the activity in intangible assets and related accumulated amortization accounts for the three months ended March 31, 2003 and 2004:

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     In general, goodwill is tested for impairment on an annual basis. In testing for impairment, the Company estimates the fair value of each operating segment and compares the fair values with the carrying values. If the fair value of an operating segment is greater than its carrying value, then no impairment results. If the fair value is less than carrying value, then the Company would determine the fair value of the goodwill. The fair value of goodwill is determined by deducting the fair value of an operating segment’s identifiable assets and liabilities from the fair value of the operating segment as a whole, as if that operating segment had just been acquired and the purchase price were being initially allocated. If the fair value of the goodwill were less than its carrying value for a segment, an impairment charge would be recorded to earnings in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Income.

     In addition, the Company would evaluate an operating segment for impairment if events or circumstances change between annual tests indicating a possible impairment. Examples of such events or circumstances include:

•

A significant adverse change in legal factors or in the business climate,

•

An adverse action or assessment by a regulator,

•

A more likely than not expectation that a segment or a significant portion thereof will be sold, or

•

The testing for recoverability under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, “Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets,” of a significant asset group within the segment.

     The Company incurred no impairment of goodwill as a result of its annual goodwill impairment test in 2003. However, there can be no assurance that goodwill will not be impaired at any time in the future.

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6. DEBT

     Notes payable and long-term debt are as follows:

     As of March 31, 2004, the Company had $362.9 million of availability under its revolving credit facility.

     As of March 31, 2004, the Company had $217.4 million of restricted cash, of which $99.5 million were proceeds from the issuance of tax-exempt bonds and other tax-exempt financing that will be used to fund capital expenditures. Restricted cash also includes amounts held in trust as a guarantee of the Company’s performance.

     Interest expense paid was $15.4 million (net of $.4 million of capitalized interest) and $16.0 million (net of $.4 million of capitalized interest) for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

     The Company’s ability to obtain financing through the capital markets is a key component of its financial strategy. Historically, the Company has managed risk associated with executing this strategy, particularly as it relates to fluctuations in interest rates, by using a combination of fixed and floating rate debt. The Company has also entered into interest rate swap agreements to manage risk associated with fluctuations in interest rates and to take advantage of favorable floating interest rates. The swap agreements have total notional values of $225.0 million and $105.0 million, and mature in 2004 and 2011, respectively. These maturities are identical to the Company’s public notes that were sold in 1999 and 2001, respectively. Under the swap agreements, the Company pays interest at floating rates based on changes in LIBOR and receives interest at fixed rates of 6 5/8% and 6 3/4%, respectively. The Company has designated these agreements as hedges in changes in the fair value of the Company’s fixed-rate debt and accounts for them in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities” (“SFAS 133”). The Company has determined that these agreements qualify for the short-cut method under SFAS 133 and, therefore, changes in the fair value of the agreements are assumed to be perfectly effective in hedging changes in the fair value of the Company’s fixed rate debt due to changes in interest rates.

     As of March 31, 2004, interest rate swap agreements are reflected at fair market value of $7.6 million and are included in prepaid expenses and other current assets, other assets, and as adjustments to short- and long-term

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debt in the accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. During the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, the Company recorded net interest income of $2.5 million and $2.2 million, respectively, related to its interest rate swap agreements which is included in interest expense in the accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income.

     The unsecured revolving credit facility requires the Company to maintain certain financial ratios and comply with certain financial covenants. At March 31, 2004, the Company was in compliance with the financial covenants under these agreements.

7. INCOME TAXES

     Income taxes have been provided for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 based upon the Company’s anticipated annual effective income tax rate of 38.0%. Income taxes paid (net of refunds received) were $(28.6) million and $.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively.

     In December 2003, the Company received written approval from the Internal Revenue Service to exclude probable airspace from its calculation of landfill amortization, depletion, and final capping, closure and post-closure costs for tax purposes. As a result of this change, the Company recorded a tax receivable of approximately $48.0 million of which approximately $33.0 million was collected during the three months ended March 31, 2004.

8. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS

     In July 1998, the Company adopted the 1998 Stock Incentive Plan (“Stock Incentive Plan”) to provide for grants of options to purchase shares of common stock, restricted stock and other equity-based compensation (“Equity-Based Compensation Units”) to employees and non-employee directors of the Company who are eligible to participate in the Stock Incentive Plan. As of March 31, 2004, 5.9 million Equity-Based Compensation Units remain available under the Stock Incentive Plan for future grants.

     The Company accounts for stock-based compensation in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees” (“APB 25”) and related interpretations. Stock options are granted at prices equal to the fair market value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant; therefore, no compensation expense is recognized. Compensation expense resulting from grants of restricted stock or stock units is recognized during the vesting period.

     Options granted under the Stock Incentive Plan are non-qualified and are granted at a price equal to the fair market value of the Company’s Common Stock at the date of grant. Generally, options granted have a term of ten years from the date of grant, and vest in increments of 25% per year over a four year period beginning on the first anniversary date of the grant. Options granted to non-employee directors have a term of ten years and are fully vested at the grant date. During the three months ended March 31, 2004, the Company awarded 20,000 deferred stock units to its non-employee directors under its Stock Incentive Plan. These stock units vest immediately but the directors receive the underlying shares only after their board service ends. The stock units do not carry any voting or dividend rights, except the right to receive additional stock units in lieu of dividends.

     Also during the three months ended March 31, 2004, the Company awarded 79,500 shares of restricted stock to its executive officers. 7,500 of these restricted shares vest effective January 1, 2005. The remaining 72,000 shares vest in four equal annual installments beginning one year from the date of grant except that vesting may be accelerated based upon the achievement of certain performance targets. During the vesting period, the participants have voting rights and receive dividends, but the shares may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered. Additionally, granted but unvested shares are forfeited upon termination of employment.

     The fair value of stock units and restricted shares on the date of grant is amortized ratably over the vesting period, or the accelerated vesting period if certain performance targets are achieved. The fair value of stock units and restricted shares granted during the three months ended March 31, 2004 is $2.6 million, of which $.7 million was recorded as compensation expense in the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income during the period. The remaining $1.9 million, representing the unamortized balance of unearned compensation on restricted

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stock, is included as a separate component of stockholders’ equity in the Company’s Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

     A summary of equity-based compensation activity for the three months ended March 31, 2004 is as follows:

     Had compensation cost for stock option grants under the Company’s Stock Incentive Plan been determined pursuant to Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation” (“SFAS 123”), the Company’s net income would have decreased accordingly. Using the Black-Scholes option pricing model, the Company’s pro forma net income and earnings per share, with related assumptions, are as follows:

9. STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY AND EARNINGS PER SHARE

     During 2000 through 2003, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to $675.0 million of its Common Stock. Additionally, in April 2004, the Board of Directors approved a $75.0 million increase to its share repurchase program. As of March 31, 2004, the Company had repurchased a total of 29.1 million shares of its stock for $577.4 million, of which 3.5 million shares were acquired during the three months ended March 31, 2004 for $93.1 million.

     In July 2003, the Company announced that its Board of Directors initiated a quarterly cash dividend of $.06 per share. In January 2004, the Company paid a dividend of $9.4 million to shareholders of record as of January 2, 2004. As of March 31, 2004, the Company recorded a dividend payable of approximately $9.3 million to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 1, 2004. In April 2004, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $.06 per share for shareholders of record on July 1, 2004. Also in April 2004, the Company’s Board of Directors announced that it plans to increase its regular quarterly dividend to $.12 per share effective October 2004.

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Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares (including deferred stock units) outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is based on the combined weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding which include, where appropriate, the assumed exercise of employee stock options and unvested restricted stock awards. In computing diluted earnings per share, the Company utilizes the treasury stock method.

     Earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 is calculated as follows (in thousands, except per share data):

10. SEGMENT INFORMATION

     The Company’s operations are managed and evaluated through five regions: Eastern, Central, Southern, Southwestern and Western. These five regions are presented below as the Company’s reportable segments. These reportable segments provide integrated waste management services consisting of collection, transfer and disposal of domestic non-hazardous solid waste.

     Summarized financial information concerning the Company’s reportable segments for the respective three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, is shown in the following table:

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     Total revenue of the Company by revenue source for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 is as follows:

11. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

Legal Proceedings

     The Company is a party to various general legal proceedings which have arisen in the ordinary course of business. While the results of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, the Company believes that losses, if any, resulting from the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows. However, unfavorable resolution could affect the consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows for the quarterly periods in which they are resolved.

Lease Commitments

     The Company and its subsidiaries lease real property, equipment and software under various operating leases with terms from one month to twenty-five years.

Unconditional Purchase Commitments

     The Company has various unconditional purchase commitments, consisting primarily of long-term disposal agreements, that require the Company to dispose of a minimum number of tons at certain third party facilities.

Liability Insurance

     The Company carries general liability, vehicle liability, employment practices liability, pollution liability, directors and officers liability, workers compensation and employer’s liability coverage, as well as umbrella liability policies to provide excess coverage over the underlying limits contained in these primary policies. The Company also carries property insurance.

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     The Company’s insurance programs for worker’s compensation, general liability, vehicle liability and employee-related health care benefits are effectively self-insured. Claims in excess of self-insurance levels are fully insured subject to policy limits. Accruals are based on claims filed and estimates of claims incurred but not reported.

     The Company’s liabilities for unpaid and incurred but not reported claims at March 31, 2004 were $134.2 million and are included in other current and other liabilities in the accompanying Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. While the ultimate amount of claims incurred is dependent on future developments, in management’s opinion, recorded reserves are adequate to cover the future payment of claims. However, it is reasonably possible that recorded reserves may not be adequate to cover future payment of claims. Adjustments, if any, to estimates recorded resulting from ultimate claim payments will be reflected in operations in the periods in which such adjustments are known.

Guarantees of Subsidiary Debt

     The Company has guaranteed the tax-exempt bonds of its subsidiaries. If a subsidiary fails to meet its obligations associated with tax-exempt bonds as they come due, the Company will be required to perform under the related guarantee agreement. No additional liability has been recorded for these guarantees because the underlying obligations are reflected in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. (For further information, see Note 6, Debt).

Restricted Cash and Marketable Securities, and Other Financial Guarantees

     In the normal course of business, the Company is required by regulatory agencies, governmental entities and contract parties to post performance bonds, letters of credit and/or cash deposits as financial guarantees of the Company’s performance. At March 31, 2004, letters of credit totaling $423.0 million were outstanding, and surety bonds totaling $375.1 million were outstanding, which will expire on various dates through 2015.

     At March 31, 2004, the Company had $217.4 million of restricted cash deposits and $185.3 million of restricted marketable securities held as financial guarantees, including $99.5 million of restricted cash held for capital expenditures under certain debt facilities, and $34.1 million and $185.3 million of restricted cash and restricted marketable securities, respectively, pledged to regulatory agencies and governmental entities as financial guarantees of the Company’s performance related to its final capping, closure and post-closure obligations at its landfills. The Company’s restricted marketable securities consist of mutual funds invested in short-term investment grade securities, including mortgage-backed securities and U.S. Government obligations. These securities are available for sale and, as a result, are stated at fair value based upon quoted market prices. Unrealized gains and losses, net of tax, are recorded as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss). The Company intends to liquidate a portion of these marketable securities and use the proceeds to repay the $225.0 million of public notes, which mature in May 2004. The Company also intends to use letters of credit to replace the financial guarantees secured by marketable securities to be liquidated.

Other Matters

     The Company’s business activities are conducted in the context of a developing and changing statutory and regulatory framework. Governmental regulation of the waste management industry requires the Company to obtain and retain numerous governmental permits to conduct various aspects of its operations. These permits are subject to revocation, modification or denial. The costs and other capital expenditures which may be required to obtain or retain the applicable permits or comply with applicable regulations could be significant. Any revocation, modification or denial of permits could have a material adverse effect on the Company.

     Through the date of the Company’s initial public offering in July 1998, the Company filed consolidated federal income tax returns with AutoNation, Inc. (“AutoNation”), its former parent company. The Internal Revenue Service is auditing AutoNation’s consolidated tax returns for fiscal years 1997 through 1998. In accordance with the Company’s tax sharing agreement with AutoNation, the Company may be liable for certain assessments imposed by the Internal Revenue Service for the periods through June 1998, resulting from this audit. In addition, the Internal Revenue Service is auditing the Company’s consolidated tax returns for fiscal years 1998 through 2000. Management believes that the tax liabilities recorded are adequate. However, a significant assessment in excess of liabilities recorded against the Company could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

     The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included under Item 1. In addition, reference should be made to our audited Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto and related Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations appearing in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003.

Our Business

     We are a leading provider of non-hazardous solid waste collection and disposal services in the United States. We provide solid waste collection services for commercial, industrial, municipal and residential customers through 141 collection companies in 22 states. We also own or operate 94 transfer stations and 57 active solid waste landfills.

     We generate revenue primarily from our solid waste collection operations. Our remaining revenue is obtained from landfill disposal services and other services, including recycling, remediation and composting operations.

     The following table reflects our total revenue by source for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 (dollars in millions):

     Our revenue from collection operations consists of fees we receive from commercial, industrial, municipal and residential customers. Our residential and commercial collection operations in some markets are based on long-term contracts with municipalities. We generally provide industrial and commercial collection services to individual customers under contracts with terms up to three years. Our revenue from landfill operations is from disposal or tipping fees charged to third parties. In general, we integrate our recycling operations with our collection operations and obtain revenue from the sale of recyclable materials. No one customer has individually accounted for more than 10% of our consolidated revenue or of our reportable segment revenue in any of the periods presented.

     The cost of our collection operations is primarily variable and includes disposal, labor, self-insurance, fuel and equipment maintenance costs. We seek operating efficiencies by controlling the movement of waste from the point of collection through disposal. During the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, approximately 54% of the total volume of waste we collected was disposed of at landfills we own or operate.

     Our landfill cost of operations includes daily operating expenses, costs of capital for cell development, costs for final capping, closure and post-closure, and the legal and administrative costs of ongoing environmental compliance. We expense all indirect landfill development costs as they are incurred. We use life cycle accounting and the units-of-consumption method to recognize certain direct landfill costs related to cell development. In life cycle accounting, certain direct costs are capitalized, and charged to expense based upon the consumption of cubic yards of available airspace. These costs include all costs to acquire and construct a site. Obligations associated with final capping, closure and post-closure are capitalized, and amortized on a unit-of-consumption basis as airspace is consumed.

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     Cost and airspace estimates are developed annually by engineers. These estimates are used by our operating and accounting personnel to annually adjust our rates used to expense capitalized costs. Changes in these estimates primarily relate to changes in available airspace, inflation and applicable regulations. Changes in available airspace include changes due to the addition of airspace lying in expansion areas that we believe have a probable likelihood of being permitted.

     Our operations are managed and reviewed through five regions that we designate as our reportable segments. From 2003 to 2004, operating income increased in our Eastern, Southern and Western regions due to an overall increase in revenue resulting from the successful execution of our growth strategy. In the Central and Southwestern regions, increased revenue was offset by increased costs for disposal and the long-haul transport of waste by third-party vendors. In addition, operating margins in the Central region continued to negatively impacted by weak economic conditions. The increase in costs for Corporate Entities from 2003 to 2004 is primarily due to increased insurance expense.

Business Combinations

     We make decisions to acquire or invest in businesses based on financial and strategic considerations. Businesses acquired are accounted for under the purchase method of accounting and are included in our Consolidated Financial Statements from the date of acquisition.

     We acquired various solid waste businesses during the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003. The aggregate purchase price we paid in these transactions was $1.2 million and $7.7 million in cash, respectively.

     See Note 4, Business Combinations, of the Notes to our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, for further discussion of business combinations.

Consolidated Results of Operations

     Our income before cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles was $56.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004, as compared to $54.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2003. Net income was $56.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004, or $.36 per diluted share, as compared to $16.8 million, or $.10 per diluted share, for the three months ended March 31, 2003. Net income for the three months ended March 31, 2003 includes an after-tax expense of $37.8 million (net of an income tax benefit of $23.1 million), or $.23 per share, as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle resulting from the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations,” and a change in accounting principle for our methane gas collection systems. See Note 1, Basis of Presentation, of the Notes to our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of these changes in accounting principles.

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     The following table summarizes our costs and expenses in millions of dollars and as a percentage of our revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003:

     Revenue. Revenue was $637.3 million and $594.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively, an increase of 7.2%. The following table reflects the components of our revenue growth for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003:

     During the three months ended March 31, 2004, our revenue growth from core pricing benefited from a broad-based pricing initiative which we started during the fourth quarter of 2003. We anticipate that we will continue to realize this benefit throughout 2004. During the three months ended March 31, 2004, we experienced core volume growth in all lines of our business including our residential collection business resulting from the addition of several new municipal contracts and our landfill and transfer station businesses resulting from newly opened sites and new contracts. We expect this growth to decrease in the latter part of 2004 as we reach the anniversary date of these new contracts and sites. In addition, our core volume during the three months ended March 31, 2004 increased by approximately .8% in our industrial collection, transfer station and landfill businesses due to an additional day of operations associated with leap year.

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     Cost of Operations. Cost of operations was $403.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004 versus $367.7 million for the comparable 2003 period. Cost of operations as a percentage of revenue was 63.3% for the three months ended March 31, 2004 versus 61.9% for the comparable 2003 period. The increase in aggregate dollars is primarily a result of the expansion of our business through internal growth and acquisitions. The increase in cost of operations as a percentage of revenue is primarily attributable to increases in self-insurance expense and disposal costs. Self-insurance expense was $44.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004 versus $33.4 million for the comparable 2003 period. This increase in self-insurance expense relates to existing claims and is attributable to the expansion of our operations and changes in actuarial estimates based on recent actual claims experience and expected claims development. The increase in cost of operations as a percentage of revenue is also due to increased fuel prices, an increase in revenue generated by lines of business that produce lower operating margins and an increase in costs associated with the long-haul transport of waste by third-party vendors.

     Depreciation, Amortization and Depletion of Property and Equipment. Expenses for depreciation, amortization and depletion of property and equipment were $56.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004 versus $55.5 million for the comparable 2003 period. Expenses for depreciation, amortization and depletion of property and equipment as a percentage of revenue were 8.9% for the three months ended March 31, 2004 versus 9.3% for the comparable 2003 period. The increase in such expenses in aggregate dollars is primarily due to the expansion of our business. The decrease in such expenses as a percentage of our revenue is primarily due to a $2.6 million reduction in landfill amortization we recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2004 related to the annual review of our calculations with respect to landfill asset retirement obligations.

     Amortization of Intangible Assets. Expenses for amortization of intangible assets were $1.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004 versus $1.3 million for the comparable 2003 period. Amortization of intangible assets as a percentage of revenue was .2% for the three months ended March 31, 2004 versus .2% for the comparable 2003 period.

     Accretion Expense. Accretion expense was $3.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004, versus $3.1 for the comparable 2003 period. Accretion expense as a percentage of revenue was .5% for the three months ended March 31, 2004, versus .5% for the comparable 2003 period. The increase in such expenses in aggregate dollars is primarily due to the expansion of our landfill operations.

     Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $62.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004 versus $61.6 million for the comparable 2003 period. Selling, general and administrative expenses as a percentage of revenue were 9.8% for the three months ended March 31, 2004 versus 10.4% for the comparable 2003 period. The increase in such expenses in aggregate dollars versus the comparable period last year is primarily the result of the expansion of our operations through internal growth and acquisitions. The decrease in such expenses as a percentage of revenue is primarily due to a decrease in bad debt expense and leveraging our existing overhead structure over an expanding revenue base.

     Interest Expense. Interest expense relates primarily to borrowings under our unsecured notes and tax-exempt bonds. Interest expense was $20.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004 versus $20.4 million for the comparable 2003 period. The increase in interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2004 versus the comparable 2003 period is primarily due to higher average outstanding debt balances partially offset by lower average rates.

     Capitalized interest was $.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004 versus $.4 million for the comparable 2003 period.

     Interest and Other Income (Expense), Net. Interest and other income, net of other expense, was $2.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004 versus $3.0 million for the comparable 2003 period. The decrease in aggregate dollars versus the comparable periods last year is primarily due to a decrease in other income partially offset by an increase in interest income resulting from higher average outstanding cash and restricted cash balances.

     Income Taxes. The provision for income taxes was $34.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004 versus $33.4 million for the comparable 2003 period. Our effective income tax rate was 38% for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003. Income taxes have been provided based upon our anticipated annual effective tax rate.

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     Cumulative Effect of Changes in Accounting Principles. During the first quarter of 2003, we adopted SFAS 143. SFAS 143 required us to change the methodology we used to record final capping, closure and post-closure costs related to our landfills. As of January 1, 2003, we recorded an after-tax expense of $20.8 million, or $33.6 million on a pre-tax basis, as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle resulting from the adoption of SFAS 143. In addition, we also recorded an after-tax expense of $17.0 million, or $27.4 million on a pre-tax basis, as a cumulative effect of a change in account principle for our methane gas collection systems. This change in accounting for methane gas collection systems was prompted by a thorough evaluation of our landfill accounting policy in connection with the adoption of SFAS 143 and is consistent with the methodology used by other participants in the waste industry.

Landfill and Environmental Matters

Available Airspace

     The following table reflects landfill airspace activity for landfills owned or operated by us for the three months ended March 31, 2004:

     Changes in engineering estimates typically include minor modifications to available disposal capacity of a landfill based on a refinement of the capacity calculations resulting from updated information. Changes in design typically include significant modifications to a landfill’s footprint or vertical slopes.

     During 2004, total available airspace decreased by 7.4 million cubic yards due primarily to airspace consumption.

     As of March 31, 2004, we owned or operated 57 active solid waste landfills with total available disposal capacity estimated to be 1.8 billion in-place cubic yards. Total available disposal capacity represents the sum of estimated permitted airspace plus an estimate of probable expansion airspace. These estimates are developed annually by engineers utilizing information provided by annual aerial surveys. As of March 31, 2004, total available disposal capacity is estimated to be 1.5 billion in-place cubic yards of permitted airspace plus ..3 billion in-place cubic yards of probable expansion airspace. Before airspace included in an expansion area is determined to be probable expansion airspace and, therefore, included in our calculation of total available disposal capacity, it must meet our expansion criteria. See Note 2, Accrued Landfill, Environmental and Legal Costs, of the Notes to our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

     As of March 31, 2004, fifteen of our landfills meet the criteria for including expansion airspace in their total available disposal capacity. At projected annual volumes, these fifteen landfills have an estimated remaining average site life of 30 years, including the expansion airspace. The average estimated remaining life of all of our landfills is 31 years.

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Final Capping, Closure and Post-Closure Costs

     As of January 1, 2003, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 143, “Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations.” This statement required us to change the methodology we used to record final capping, closure and post-closure costs. See Note 2, Accrued Landfill, Environmental and Legal Costs, of the Notes to our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

     As of March 31, 2004, accrued final capping, closure and post-closure costs were $206.7 million. The current portion of these costs of $27.2 million is reflected in our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in other current liabilities. The long-term portion of these costs of $179.5 million is reflected in our Unaudited Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets in accrued landfill, environmental and legal costs.

Investment in Landfills

     The following table reflects changes in our investments in landfills for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and the future expected investment as of March 31, 2004 (in millions):